The 8 Arenas – Faith

Faith

What if the only voice we listened to was the voice of Jesus Christ?

1. God has a plan for each of us

JC walked through life listening to and carrying out the Father’s plan in every detail.

To pull us into an absolute dependent relationship with Him

To conform us into the image of Jesus

Are you convinced that JC has a plan for your life and it is far greater than anything you can come up with

1 Cor 2:9 – What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived — God has prepared these things for those who love him.

Faith is the highway that allows JC to accomplish all that He wants in us.

2. Faith is:

The presence of faith is always blessed by God

Greek woman w/ demon possessed daughter –

Matt 15:28 – “Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.”

Centurian w/ sick servant –

Matt 8:10, 13 – “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. V10

Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you. V13

Highly sought after by his followers by pursuing Him.

Luke 11:3,9, and 13 – “Give us each day our daily bread. V3 ”

“So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” v 9

“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” V 13

A gift from God-

Ephs 2:4, 8 – 9

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,” v4

^“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.” v 8 – 9

We don’t work up anything

1 habit the King is building in me is the quick bending of the knee to ask for help and grace in my time of need.

Hebs 4:16 – Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

A very current example – moving

A confidence that God will do what He has said that He will do.

Ephesians 3:20 – Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us

We believe that He will accomplish His will in our lives.

Roms 4:16 – This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace”

Roms 4:18 – 21 – “He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken” v 18 – “He did not weaken in faith” v 19 – “ because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do” V 21

God then acts to accomplish his good purpose in us

Roms 8:29 – “ For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,” v 29

If you haven’t been stirred by anything in this message – our salvation is a finished work –

Roms 8:30 – “ And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” v 30

It develops a greater confidence in us to trust Him for greater acts of His power

It is like working out in the gym.

I contract the muscles by exercise and they respond by growing larger, stronger, and firmer.

Any of you ever given Daniel Smith a hug. He is like a rock.

Benefit of spiritual training –

1 Tim 4:8 – “ For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Hebrews

Hebs 11:6 – “ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” V6

Who gives the faith – JC

Hebs 11:8 – By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place… He went out, even though he did not know where he was going

3. Resting in God’s goodness and trusting Him in all things

Is 30:15 – In quietness and rest is your salvation, but you would have none of it –

The Nestle tea plunge

4. Action steps

Bowing the knee more often and more quickly

Asking earnestly for faith because it is a gift of the King

Remembering verbally and often all that JC has done for you.

Stepping out in faith on bigger and bigger issues

You won’t always be right but ask the Holy Spirit to teach you through your mistakes.

5. Final wrap-up of 8 arenas

Listening to Jesus as our only voice has tremendous benefits

Living this chapter in our lives in the light of eternity totally changes our perspective

I want more of Jesus in my life, marriage, and in every other aspect in my life